RBC Canadian Open 2014 streaming: How to watch live online

After an off week to yield the stage to the British Open, the PGA Tour returns for the RBC Canadian Open. It’s one of the few events all year that’s not held in the United States, but it’s longstanding tradition on the Tour’s annual rota. This year’s Canadian Open will be held on the Blue Course at Royal Montreal. This event rotates throughout Canada, but Royal Montreal has hosted it more than any other, a total of nine times, including the inaugural event in 1904.

Despite an increased presence of Canadian-born players in the field -- there’s 19 entered this week -- a native has not won their open since 1954. There have been several close calls and near misses, but the home crowd has not witnessed one of their own capture the country’s open in 60 years.

Of the group of 19 in the field this week, the best bets are probably David Hearn and Graham DeLaet. Hearn was the forgotten man in that three-way playoff at the John Deere Classic last year, losing out to Zach Johnson and eventual winner Jordan Spieth. Hearn turned pro way back in 2001, but has yet to win on the top tour. He enters playing some of his best golf. He made the cut last week at the Open, and has six top 25 results this year, including a T6 at The Players.

DeLaet is Canada’s best golfer, but he may not be in his best form for his national championship. His underwhelming play at the majors continued last week at Hoylake, where he bombed out in the second round and missed the cut by a shot. He’s still 31st in the FedExCup rankings, and one of the best players in the world. But he’s just not getting same consistent results that made him one of the two or three hottest players in the world about this time last year.

In addition to the Canadian guys, the title sponsor, RBC, also backs a huge stable of talented world-class players. Luke Donald, Ernie Els, Matt Kuchar, Hunter Mahan, Graeme McDowell, and Jim Furyk are just a few of the names RBC backs for their golf team. They also boast defending champ Brandt Snedeker. He and his biggest challenger last year, Dustin Johnson are both back again this year. So it’s an above-average field when you consider it’s sandwiched in between the major championship overseas and a WGC that always attracts the top 50 players in the world.

Tee times start at 7 a.m. ET, but Golf Channel will carry their typical first round coverage of the afternoon wave. Things are pushed back an hour from the usual 3 p.m. start time. McDowell, Donald, Kuchar, Furyk, and home favorites DeLaet and Mike Weir should get much of the camera attention in the afternoon on Thursday. If you’re unable to watch on TV, Golf Channel will have its LiveExtra service up and running with a simulcast of the coverage. Here are all your media options for the opening round in Montreal.

4 to 7 p.m. ET -- Golf Channel

1 to 7 p.m. -- PGA Tour Radio on Sirius-XM (Ch. 93/208)